Charadriisimilis
Temporal range: Early Eocene,
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Clade: Neoaves
Order: Charadriiformes
Genus: †Charadriisimilis
Mayr & Kitchener, 2023
Type species
†Charadriisimilis essexensis
Mayr & Kitchener, 2023

Charadriisimilis is an extinct genus of charadriiform birds from the Early Eocene (Ypresian) London Clay of Walton-on-the-Naze, United Kingdom. The genus contains a single species, Charadriisimilis essexensis, known from partial postcranial remains.[1]

Discovery and naming

The holotype of Charadriisimilis, NMS.Z.2021.40.93, was found in the London Clay in Essex by collector Michael Daniels in 1991. The holotype consists of a partial skeleton including furcula, coracoids, part of the left scapula and sternum, both carpometacarpi, left os carpi, and wing phalanges.[1]

The species Charadriisimilis essexensis was erected in 2023 by Mayr & Kitchener as a new genus of wader-like birds. The name Charadriisimilis is derived from similis, Latin for "similar" or "like", and refers to the genus' similarity to the Charadrii. The specific ephitet essexensis refers to the type locality.[1]

Description

Charadriisimilis is smaller in size than other Eocene Charadriiformes-like birds such as Scandiavis and Nahmavis. The morphology of Charadriisimilis resembles that of the Charadrii. C. essexensis was similar in size to the common ringed plover.[1]

Classification

Charadriisimilis is classified among the Charadriiformes. Though it bears a strong resemblance to the Charadrii, and is recovered as its sister taxon. The presence of Charadriisimilis suggests the divergence of waders from sandpipers and gull-like birds by the Eocene. Cladogram after Mayr & Kitchener (2023):[1]

Charadriiformes

Scolopaci (sandpipers)

Lari (Gulls, terns, skuas and skimmers)

Charadriisimilis

Burhinidae (Stone-curlews)

Chionidae (Sheathbills)

Pluvianus (Egyptian plover)

Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)

Recurvirostridae (Avocets)

Pluvialis (Golden-plovers and black-bellied plover)

Charadriidae (Plovers, dotterels, and lapwings)

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Mayr, Gerald; Kitchener, Andrew C. (2023-09-22). "Early Eocene fossils elucidate the evolutionary history of the Charadriiformes (shorebirds and allies)". Journal of Paleontology: 1–15. doi:10.1017/jpa.2023.51. ISSN 0022-3360.
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